strat-gameplay-webapp/.claude/GAMEPLAY_SESSION_HANDOFF.md

Gameplay Loop Implementation - Session Handoff

Date: 2025-01-21 Session Focus: Connecting frontend gameplay UI to backend WebSocket handlers Status: 🟡 In Progress - Defensive decisions working, testing offensive workflow next

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🎯 Session Goals

Implement the core gameplay loop: dice rolling → outcome submission → play resolution

Target Workflow:

1. User submits defensive setup (infield/outfield positioning)
2. User submits offensive decision (batting action)
3. User rolls dice
4. User submits manual outcome (from physical card)
5. Backend resolves play and broadcasts result
6. Game state updates, play appears in feed

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✅ What We Accomplished

1. Connected Gameplay Loop Components

• Fixed submitManualOutcome() signature in useGameActions.ts
• Added play_resolved WebSocket event handler
• Fixed game page to call outcome submission correctly
• Added missing TypeScript imports

2. Fixed Decision Panel Visibility Issues

Root Cause: Frontend was checking for decision_phase: "defense" but backend uses "awaiting_defensive"

Files Modified:

• frontend-sba/store/game.ts - Added checks for both naming conventions:

  needsDefensiveDecision: checks 'defense' OR 'awaiting_defensive'
  needsOffensiveDecision: checks 'offensive_approach' OR 'awaiting_offensive'
  

3. Fixed Game Start Issues

Problem: Games were stuck in decision_phase: "idle" after lineups submitted

Root Causes Fixed:

1. Missing game_engine import in backend/app/api/routes/games.py
2. start_game() wasn't setting decision_phase after preparing first play

Files Modified:

• backend/app/api/routes/games.py:

  from app.core.game_engine import game_engine  # Added import
  

• backend/app/core/game_engine.py:

  # In start_game() after _prepare_next_play():
  state.decision_phase = "awaiting_defensive"  # Added this line
  

4. Fixed State Updates After Decision Submission

Problem: After submitting defensive decision, UI stayed on defensive panel instead of advancing to offensive

Solution: Frontend now requests updated game state after decision submissions

File Modified:

• frontend-sba/composables/useWebSocket.ts:

  socketInstance.on('defensive_decision_submitted', (data) => {
    // Request updated game state to get new decision_phase
    socketInstance.emit('request_game_state', { game_id: gameStore.gameId })
  })
  

5. Added Debug Logging

• Added console logging in game page to debug panel visibility
• Logs show decision_phase, needsDefensiveDecision, needsOffensiveDecision, etc.

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📁 Files Modified (Need Committing)

Backend Changes

backend/app/api/routes/games.py
backend/app/core/game_engine.py

Frontend Changes

frontend-sba/store/game.ts
frontend-sba/composables/useGameActions.ts
frontend-sba/composables/useWebSocket.ts
frontend-sba/pages/games/[id].vue

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✅ What's Working Now

✓ Game Creation Flow

• Create game → submit lineups → game auto-starts
• Game enters "awaiting_defensive" phase immediately
• Frontend shows Defensive Setup panel

✓ Defensive Decision Submission

• User can select infield/outfield positioning
• Clicking "Submit" sends decision to backend
• Backend receives and processes decision
• Emits defensive_decision_submitted event
• Frontend requests updated game state

✓ WebSocket Communication

• Connection established successfully
• Events flowing backend → frontend
• dice_rolled, outcome_accepted, play_resolved handlers implemented

✓ Backend Game Engine

• All 15 WebSocket handlers implemented (Phase 3E-Final)
• Manual outcome workflow complete
• Play resolution working
• Database persistence functional

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🔄 Current State

What User Just Did

1. ✅ Created new game (ID: 0411d0ce-f41f-46eb-b0ac-23bae818d6ad)
2. ✅ Saw defensive setup panel appear
3. ✅ Submitted defensive decision
4. ⚠️ Still seeing "Your Defensive Turn" indicator

What Should Happen Next

After latest fix (requesting game state after submission), user should:

1. Refresh game page
2. Submit defensive decision again
3. Should see Offensive Approach panel appear
4. Select batting action → Submit
5. Should see Gameplay Panel with Roll Dice button

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🧪 Testing Checklist

✅ Tested & Working

• Game creation
• Lineup submission
• Game auto-start
• Defensive panel appears
• Defensive decision sends to backend

⏳ Next to Test

• Defensive submission → Offensive panel transition
• Offensive decision submission
• Offensive → Resolution phase (dice rolling)
• Dice roll button click
• Dice results display
• Manual outcome entry
• Outcome submission
• Play resolution display
• Play-by-play feed update
• Game state updates (score, outs, runners)
• Second at-bat (loop continues)

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🔧 Technical Details

Backend Decision Phase Values

"idle"                  # Initial state (before start)
"awaiting_defensive"    # Waiting for defensive setup
"awaiting_offensive"    # Waiting for offensive approach
"resolution"            # Ready for dice rolling

WebSocket Event Flow

Decision Submission:

Frontend: submit_defensive_decision →
Backend:  process → emit defensive_decision_submitted →
Frontend: request_game_state →
Backend:  game_state (with decision_phase: "awaiting_offensive") →
Frontend: Show offensive panel

Dice Rolling & Outcome:

Frontend: roll_dice →
Backend:  roll dice → emit dice_rolled →
Frontend: Show dice results →
User:     Read card, select outcome →
Frontend: submit_manual_outcome →
Backend:  validate & resolve → emit play_resolved →
Frontend: Display result, update state

Key Store Properties

// Game Store (frontend-sba/store/game.ts)
needsDefensiveDecision  // Shows defensive panel
needsOffensiveDecision  // Shows offensive panel
canRollDice            // Enables dice roll button
canSubmitOutcome       // Enables outcome submission

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🐛 Known Issues & Workarounds

Issue 1: Frontend Compilation Warnings

Symptom: "Element is missing end tag" errors in console Impact: None - server still runs fine Status: Cosmetic, doesn't affect functionality

Issue 2: Old Games Stuck in "idle"

Symptom: Games created before our fixes still show "Waiting for strategic decisions" Workaround: Create fresh games - old games won't auto-advance Fix: Old games need manual state update or recreation

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🚀 Quick Start for Next Session

1. Check Server Status

# Backend should be running on port 8000
# Frontend should be running on port 3001

2. Test Defensive → Offensive Transition

1. Go to current game: http://localhost:3001/games/0411d0ce-f41f-46eb-b0ac-23bae818d6ad
2. Submit defensive decision
3. Should see offensive panel appear now (after latest fix)

3. If Offensive Panel Appears - Continue Testing!

• Submit offensive decision
• Click "Roll Dice"
• Check dice results display
• Submit outcome
• Verify play resolution

4. If Still Stuck - Create Fresh Game

http://localhost:3001/games/create

New games will have all fixes applied.

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📝 Pending Commits

Gameplay Loop Connection (Already Committed)

git log --oneline -1
# 58b5deb CLAUDE: Connect gameplay loop - dice rolling and play resolution

Decision Panel Fixes (Need Committing)

# Backend changes
backend/app/api/routes/games.py         # Added game_engine import
backend/app/core/game_engine.py         # Set decision_phase in start_game

# Frontend changes
frontend-sba/store/game.ts              # Check both decision_phase naming conventions
frontend-sba/composables/useWebSocket.ts # Request state after decision submissions
frontend-sba/pages/games/[id].vue       # Added debug logging

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🎓 Lessons Learned

1. Backend/Frontend Contract Mismatches

Issue: Backend used "awaiting_defensive" but frontend checked for "defense" Solution: Frontend now checks both variants for robustness

2. State Synchronization

Issue: Backend updated state but didn't broadcast changes Solution: Frontend explicitly requests updated state after key events

3. Game Initialization

Issue: start_game() prepared play but didn't set decision_phase Solution: Explicitly set initial decision_phase after prepare

4. Import Issues Can Fail Silently

Issue: Missing game_engine import caused silent failure with try/catch Solution: Always verify imports are present and check logs for errors

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📞 If You Get Stuck

Check These First

1. Backend logs: BashOutput with filter for game ID or event names
2. Browser console: Look for [Game Page] Panel visibility check: log
3. WebSocket events: Check if events are being received
4. Game state: Look at decision_phase value in console log

Common Fixes

• Panels not showing: Check decision_phase value, create fresh game
• Events not working: Check WebSocket connection status
• State not updating: Look for game_state or game_state_update events

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🎯 Success Criteria

Session Complete When:

• Defensive panel appears ✅
• Offensive panel appears after defensive submission
• Dice can be rolled
• Outcome can be submitted
• Play resolves and appears in feed
• Second at-bat starts automatically
• All changes committed

Current Progress: ~60% complete

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📚 References

• Backend Handlers: backend/app/websocket/handlers.py (15 handlers, all implemented)
• Game Engine: backend/app/core/game_engine.py (Phase 3E-Final complete)
• Frontend Components: frontend-sba/components/Gameplay/ (all built, partially connected)
• Main Session Context: CLAUDE.md in project root

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Next Session Goal: Complete offensive decision → dice rolling → outcome submission flow

Good luck! 🚀